Rabbits are common pets and are often kept without caging. If
they are to be caged, please observe the important care precautions, discussed
on the caging page.

Rabbits are technically different from rodents (rats, mice,
chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters etc.) and, with hares, belong to a mammalian
group (order) called lagomorphs or lagomorpha. One of the distinctions is the
number of incisor teeth.

Rabbits can suffer some diseases to which other creatures do
not appear to be so prone. Especially, they are prone to back injury and
Paralysis, if picked
up wrongly, allowing them to kick violently and can suffer Haemorrhagic Disease
(Calici virus, RHDV, VHD, RCD), Myxomatosis, Encephalitozoonosis,
Pasteurellosis, otitis media and otitis externa. If they become soiled or moist
around the anus or genitalia, in the summertime, they can attract flies, with
consequent maggot infestation. This can be very rapid and can lead to death.

Their normal faeces is usually
formed into discrete small balls or pellets (sometimes called 'bumbles') and
comes, broadly-speaking, in two types. There is a dark, more shiny form (caecotropes/cecotropes),
which they will usually eat for a second time, in order to gain valuable
vitamins and nutrients. There is a dry, friable and greenish form, which is dung
from the second eating and which will usually be deposited away from the nest. When cleaning out a rabbit hutch, it is important not to prevent the
ingestion of the first type of 'dung'.*

Like many species, they can exhibit idiosyncratic drug reactions, with modern conventional
drug therapy. Happily, they respond well to homeopathic input (which does not
carry this risk) without these adverse effects. This makes the treatment of sick
rabbits very rewarding to the
veterinary homeopath.

We usually see rabbits at the
AVMC premises but house visits can also be
arranged, more or less UK-wide.

Whether we see a rabbit at the AVMC
or at home, we look closely at previous
veterinary history and results of any tests or investigations. We take an
extensive history, enquire into diet and lifestyle, ask about management of the
cage, home, garden and other environments and examine the patient closely.

Natural medicine represents an alternative approach to the
conventional norm but the use of homeopathy and other alternative therapies does not
rule out the need for a proper examination and
assessment of each individual patient, necessary diagnostic tests, appropriate measures to repair injury and a study
of natural lifestyle and diet (special for each
species or type), in order to be able to speed recovery. We have
enjoyed a good measure of success through this methodology, seeing, as in other
species, recoveries from diseases which are usually associated with a poor prognosis in
conventional terms and wisdom.

Holistic medicine and management implies that the environment, the diet, the animal’s
individual nature and demeanour and the interaction with humans are all taken
into account and modified for optimum health.

Have you ever been told that your rabbit is now untreatable?

Are you concerned about the safety of modern drugs for your
rabbit?

Do you know what is in the foods or supplements you are
using?

Are you confused by manufacturers' claims?

There may be another way ....
Holistic methodology may provide some of the answers you are seeking.

Homeopathy, as with all species, is able to offer an alternative for the
treatment of chronic disease. Herbal medicine is ideal for rabbits, since
their herbivorous biology is well-suited to herbs. Rabbits generally accept
Acupuncture extremely well.

While the only promises that can be made are that we will always concentrate and put in maximum effort
on your rabbit’s behalf, and strive for excellence in the application of
natural medicine techniques (i.e. we cannot promise success), we are able to report an encouraging level of success in such
troublesome and chronic conditions. A great many creatures have surprised their
human companions with their ability to defy prognosis and recover. Follow a full
holistic programme and rely on the rabbit’s innate healing ability.

These approaches represent a philosophy that is alternative to
the current conventional norm but the use of alternative therapies does not do
away with the need for a thorough examination and assessment. Nor does it
preclude the use of modern diagnostic techniques where necessary. A
holistic vet
will take into account all these things, in addition to closely scrutinising
lifestyle, diet, environment etc.

* I am grateful to a reader who pointed out that I had somehow managed to
reverse this important information in an earlier version (now corrected December
2010).